Movies serve as more than a mere source of joy. Just like the good and the bad of any society, films bring out both the ugly and beautiful that lies within. And once in a while, a movie does not just reveal the truth but grabs one by the shoulder and forces one to face it. That is exactly what Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” did. This South Korean film did not just tell a story, it made the masses face the sad and cruel realities of class differences.
What is it about?
The main plot of “Parasite” is about two families: the wealthy Parks and the poor Kims. The Kims barely get by in a small semi-basement flat. The Parks live in a beautifully designed, comfortable house. The Kims slowly move into the Parks’ home by pretending to be hard-working, skilled employees. The story is filled with lies, sincere desperation, and the consummate difference between the rich and the poor.
But “Parasite” is not just a thriller; the way it details the consequences of poverty is both horrifying and eye-opening. That is how the system keeps the poor stuck, while the rich do not even realize how lucky they are. In between, it has dark humor, sad parts, and times that make you think, “Wow, this is too real.”
How it exposes class inequality
- The Physical Divide: The movie shows differences in class through space. The Kim family’s house is literally below ground level, dark, and full of bugs. Whereas, the Parks’ house is up high, sunny, and big. This is not just about architecture; it is also a metaphor for how the rich are physically and socially put above the poor.
- The Smell of Poverty: This “smell” that clings to the Kims is one of the most important things about the movie. The Parks notice it and make a subtle comment about it, showing that even a smell that you can not see can make someone seem “poorly.”
- The False Hope of Meritocracy: The Kims are smart, resourceful, and hard-working, but they can not get out of their situation no matter how hard they try. The movie questions the idea that hard work is the only way to be successful. It does this by showing how systemic barriers keep poor people from moving up.
- The Rich Are Clueless: It is not that the Parks are bad; they are just not aware. Their lives are perfect, and they do not know how hard things are for people “below” them. This lack of knowledge is not only annoying, it is also harmful. It shows how the wealthy can keep inequality going without even realizing it.
Why does it relate globally?
There is class inequality everywhere. “Parasite” is about the problems that regular people face when they try to make it in a world that is not fair, whether it is the gig economy, rising housing costs, or the growing wealth gap. The fact that the movie won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and was the first non-English film to win Best Picture at the Oscars shows how important its message is.
Lessons it teaches us
One of its greatest attributes is that it does not give you easy answers. It does not hide the fact that there is inequality between classes; nor does it pretend that the problem will be magically solved. Instead, it makes us face hard truths and think about what part we play in the system.
To make a change, you must first see the issue. “Parasite” is a movie that wakes not only its characters, but the audience as well, to discuss the issue of inequality and the structures that fuel even more inequality. It is easy to forget how appealing it is to have a powerful position in society without knowing what other people are going through.
“Parasite” is a movie that highlights true societal problems, forcing people to confront the harsh realities of imbalanced social classes. But it also reminds us that we can make things better by being aware, having empathy, and being ready to question the system. Sometimes, the most powerful stories are not just meant to entertain us; they are meant to make us see things we can not ignore.
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Writer
Sarah Mahdia
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE